Farmer's Korner fatality ruled accidental

Related Media

The Farmer's Korner fire that claimed the life of beloved Summit County resident Russell Kent Sigler on Tuesday night has been ruled accidental, according to a statement from Red, White and Blue Fire District officials

"The probable cause of this fire is a shop light that fell into a pile of papers igniting them," Deputy Chief Jay T. Nelson said in a written statement. "It is believed that the victim was alive at the time of the fire, however we are unsure whether or not they were conscious."

A fire engulfed Sigler's mobile home on the east side of Highway 9.

Firefighters were called to the scene at approximately 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and found the small structure fully ablaze, with flames coming from the doors and windows.

Heavy smoke and fire prevented teams from entering the house to search for people trapped inside when they initially arrived on scene, fire officials said.

"There was so much smoke and flame coming out that it was just too dangerous to send our firefighters in," Nelson said. "As soon as they were able to push that fire back, they started their search right away."

The building only had one available entrance when the fire started. A second entrance had been boarded up, Nelson said.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze before it spread to other structures nearby.

Sigler had worked for Summit County Ambulance Service for roughly 16 years.